Latest news with #LeoMatlock
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to host biggest-ever esports event, first to receive ‘M' mark status
Hong Kong is set to host its biggest-ever esports event, bringing some of the world's best teams to compete for a US$1 million (HK$7.85 million) prize pot at the AsiaWorld-Expo in November, organisers announced on Tuesday. Blast Premier Hong Kong Rivals will be the first esports event to be granted 'M' mark status, as officials said it would become a mainstay feature – with the aim of attracting more international gaming tournaments in the future. Blast Premier is an international tournament series for the tactical first-person shooter Counter-Strike 2, which was launched in 2020 and broadcasts to more than 100 countries in over 30 languages. 'We stand before you with absolute confidence that Blast Premier Hong Kong rivals will be one of the biggest esports events Asia has ever seen,' Leo Matlock, Blast's chief business officer, said. 'The tournament will not only draw passionate fans from across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, mainland China and Europe, but it will also spark global travel from esports enthusiasts across Asia and all over the world. We expect over 11,000 fans to come each day.' Organisers announce the upcoming Blast Premier Hong Kong Rivals tournament. Photo: Dickson Lee Blast Premier Hong Kong Rivals, scheduled to run from November 12 to 16 and co-hosted by the Esports Association of Hong Kong, China, will feature eight of the world's best teams.
Business Mayor
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Esports company Blast expands to U.S. with New York office
Esports tournament company Blast announced this week that it is opening a new office in New York City, expanding into the American esports space. Blast's chief business officer, Leo Matlock, is moving to the new office from Copenhagen. It plans to organize several new events in the U.S. esports space, including the FNCS Pro-Am Los Angeles, the Austin Major and the RLCS Raleigh Major, among others. The company also plans to open an office in Mumbai before the end of the year. Blast is one of the world's largest esports companies and has partnered with Ubisoft, Epic Games, Valve and Riot on past events, including live tournaments and broadcasts. It's also worked with brands such as Nike, TikTok and NASCAR. It has worked on American events before, such as the Atlanta-based Rainbow Six Major it produced in partnership with Ubisoft. But the New York office marks Blast's first official expansion into U.S. esports territory. Matlock said in a statement, 'We've been deeply committed to the growth of esports in the U.S. for six years – hosting some of our most iconic live events here since 2019. Establishing a permanent hub here is a natural next step and also a powerful indicator of our long-term investment in the market. We have some incredible live events coming up across North America this year and are excited to continue to advocate this unmatched fandom and to work with national and local partners and brands, creating a positive impact everywhere we are. This move further adds to our global expansion efforts in 2025, with offices opening in India and the U.S. this year.' According to Blast, Matlock will build out a local team at the new office, building closer ties to major game companies based the U.S. while also building out new entertainment ventures. The company says that, by the end of this year, it will hold 15 arena events in five continents. GB Daily Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here. An error occured.
